In a show of strong neighborly bonds, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday to attend the high-profile oath-taking of Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Tarique Rahman as the country’s next Prime Minister. This ceremony represents a fresh start for Bangladesh following recent political developments.
Global dignitaries are converging on Dhaka following invitations from the interim Chief Adviser Yunus. The Daily Star reported the arrival of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, greeted at the airport by Foreign Adviser M Touhid Hossain, adding to the event’s international stature.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the symbolic weight of Birla’s attendance: ‘It reflects the profound friendship between our peoples and India’s unwavering dedication to the democratic ethos uniting India and Bangladesh.’ The statement welcomed the new government, noting its mandate backed by widespread public endorsement and rooted in shared historical and cultural affinities.
Among the distinguished guests are Bhutan’s PM Tshering Tobgay, Nepal’s and Sri Lanka’s foreign ministers, and more. Invitations had gone out to leaders like PM Modi, Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif, and Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim, with representatives such as Pakistan’s Ahsan Iqbal and UK’s Seema Malhotra confirming participation.
The BNP-dominated cabinet boasts 25 ministers, featuring heavyweights like Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Hafizuddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, Abu Zafar MD Jahid Hossain, Abdul Awal Mintu, and a host of others including Kazi Shah Moazzem Hossain Kakobad, Mizanur Rahman Minu, and Nitai Roy Chowdhury.
This gathering of regional and international figures signals optimism for Bangladesh’s future under Tarique Rahman’s leadership. India’s representation by Speaker Birla reaffirms its position as a key partner, fostering cooperation on mutual interests like trade, security, and cultural exchanges. The event sets the stage for enhanced bilateral relations in the coming years.